Christmas with a cause

IT is indeed the most wonderful time of the year for some; a time for cheer, happiness and an abundance of joy.

But sadly, for a lot of people it is a time when they are without family, friends, food and many of the finer things in life.

In the true spirit of giving, Christmas is also a time when we should consider those less fortunate and assist in the best way we can.

This could mean sharing your dinner, gifts and basic amenities such as toiletries and clothing that you may not want any more, to lift the mood of another individual.

Whether giving to a stranger, your spouse, children or relatives promotes a sense of social connectedness. It’s really the thought that counts and not necessarily the monetary value – it is about human connection.

Below some well-known women share with All Woman how they plan to make this holiday special and give back: Christmas with a cause.

Superintendent Stephanie Lindsay, head of the Jamaica Constabulary Force Corporate Communication Unit:

I would like to make this holiday special by spending quality time with my three children – Brithney, Bradlee and Stesean. The nature of my job robs them of my personal time throughout the year. However, I always do something special with them at Christmastime. In terms of giving back, I do something different every year. This year I have already purchased some items to prepare food and personal care packages for some less fortunate individuals. I just want to wish my colleagues a wonderful and safe season. I urge them all to embrace family even as they balance work, because in the end your family are the ones who will be there for you. Let us bring back the true reason for Christmas, and I pray that our people will end the violence and start loving each other again.

Emprezz Golding, media personality:

I plan to take time to rest, rejuvenate and spend time relaxing with my friends and family whom I haven’t seen this year. I also plan to start creating 2018 plans for Maxfield Park Children’s Home, as I am the chairperson. I have major transformation plans for the home staff and children. After having my baby I went right back to work, so I need to spend time relaxing, cooking a few meals, having some friends over on the lawn, and just relaxing.

Rev Dr Carla Dunbar, marriage, family and sex counselling therapist:

Well, my husband and kids have always said I am the real Santa Claus. I love Christmas; it’s more special to me even more than my birthday, for two reasons: all my family comes together, and the celebration of Jesus’s incarnation. I love giving presents and seeing the faces as they are opened and so I usually start buying as early as August or September for family, friends, and anyone my mind remembers. Each year with my family and members of my church, I host an early morning drive-through Christmas parade throughout the communities within the environs of Cavaliers where I pastor, playing carols, giving out slices of ham, cake, goodie bags, toys and hot chocolate with whipped cream to whomever we see along the way. We stop in the squares, and people come out to us and we dance and make merry as we serve the people. We usually end by 8:00 am and return to church for what we call “All Things in Common”, where we all take stuff from home and share. I do what I call ‘Pastors Closet’ and clean my wardrobe, giving to either my local church community, or I send it anonymously to the Salvation Army. This year I have added another component, as my children, grandchildren and I will be serving leaders of the church at our home. Christmas is really about giving and serving, and I am most fulfilled giving of myself to others. I hope to pass this on as a legacy to my kids and their kids – “Jesus came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45)

Caroline Mahfood, executive director of the GraceKennedy Foundation:

Christmas is my favourite time of year! This month (I do this every year) I have given away about 15 bags of clothes, comforters, and other items to the Salvation Army. I also attended GraceKennedy’s Christmas treat for the elderly in Majesty Gardens. It was a great opportunity to serve, sing carols and make them feel special. This Christmas I am committed to spending quality time with my family, in particular my mother. She loves going to Christmas concerts, baking, decorating the tree, and we have been doing a lot of that together. It’s so easy to get busy and forget that Jesus is the reason for the season, so I have made a conscious decision to slow down, spend time with my loved ones and serve others.

Diahann Gordon-Harrison, children’s advocate:

Christmas is my favourite time of year because of all the good cheer and positivity that emanates from just about everyone. This year family will be at the centre of all that I do – creating those special memories and focusing on the significance of the season. It’s also a good time to give to those who are not as fortunate as we may be, and so at home we will be putting together care packages for distribution. The Office of the Children’s Advocate was not to be outdone either, as we hosted a treat for a school in the rural part of Clarendon – Long Look Primary and Infant School. The children were fed and fêted. We also discussed child rights issues with the staff and donated educational and other items to the school.

Fae Ellington, veteran broadcaster:

I normally spend Christmas with my mother in Smithsville in the hills of Clarendon. What I normally do is prepare a meal and I cook everything, usually for about eight to 12 people in the district who are good to her, and by extension good to me. She has a caregiver who is there with her, and so I bring for her too. So I pack up everything in the car and drive up to Smithsville which is about one and a half hours from Kingston, and for the children there who are directly associated with the people around my mother, I usually take gifts for them. Each year I have friends who will invite me over, but it is highly unlikely that I will end up at their house in the day as I am in Smithsville, so in the evening when I get back I will go, have a glass of wine, carouse and chat. In terms of something special, there is a family I have identified which I hope to prepare a special meal for.